Week 12 NFL Draft intel: What separates Ohio State duo from other top RBs? 

Each week, Yardbarker is monitoring the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay.

From Ohio State's star-studded backfield to a Texas ballhawk, here are five players we are tracking.

How are Ohio State stars Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson distinguishing themselves as top RBs?   

In his Wednesday column, the Draft Network's Ryan Fowler noted Henderson and Judkins' attention to detail separates them from other RBs in the class.

"Both players are household names thanks to their explosive talent," wrote Fowler. "However, what sets the two apart isn't just their natural ability to create with the ball in their hands, it's a dedication and attention to the finer aspects of the game that makes them such interesting case studies."

Per Pro Football Focus, Henderson (5-foot-10, 208 pounds) and Judkins (6-foot, 219 pounds) have allowed zero sacks on 50 combined pass-block snaps in 10 games. The duo has 1,385 rushing yards collectively.

The tandem must quash the Hoosiers' stingy run defense when Ohio State hosts Indiana on Saturday. Indiana — No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings — leads the Big Ten in rushing yards allowed (72.2).  

Indiana's Kurtis Rourke could be a sleeper QB  

Could Rourke — an Ontario, Canada native — be one of the most underrated QB prospects in the 2025 class?

"In a top-heavy quarterback class for the 2025 NFL Draft, Indiana Hoosiers QB Kurtis Rourke is the unheralded sleeper who could turn into a legitimate starter at the next level," wrote The 33rd Team's Tyler Brooke on Thursday. 

The 6-foot-5, 223-pounder plays a pivotal role in Indiana's second-ranked scoring offense (43.9 PPG). Through nine starts, he has the FBS' second-best QBR (88.1) and is tied for the 16th-most TD passes (21).

Per ESPN's Football Power Index, the Hoosiers' strength of schedule is 106th out of 134 FBS teams. Excelling against the No. 2 Buckeyes would prove Rourke isn't just dominating weak competition and should boost his stock.

Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders' commitment to the East-West Shrine Bowl is significant  

On Wednesday, Sanders (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) accepted his invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl, scheduled for Jan. 30 at AT&T Stadium. The annual college all-star game allows NFL clubs to scout top prospects before the draft.  

"The Colorado star would be wise to take every opportunity during the draft process to make his case for QB1 status and as a first-round prospect," wrote The Athletic's Dane Brugler. "Maybe even more important than what happens on the field, the Shrine Bowl will be an important week for Sanders as he interviews with NFL teams to answer any questions and sell himself."

In September, a former general manager told The Athletic's Jim Trotter he had questions about Sanders' maturity and ability to bond with teammates. If he alleviates these concerns during Shrine Bowl interviews, some teams may tab the 22-year-old as their QB1. 

Through 10 starts, he ranks third in the FBS in completion percentage (72.9 percent) and is tied for second in TD passes (27). As of Thursday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives Colorado (8-2) the best chance (43.6 percent) to win the Big 12.  

Texas DB Jahdae Barron's impressive senior season has him climbing draft boards   

Returning for a fifth season is paying off for Barron (5-foot-11, 200 pounds). In 10 games, he has career highs in interceptions (four) and passes defensed (eight).

"Jahdae Barron can play wide and in the slot," wrote Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema, who ranked the Texas star as his No. 1 slot corner. "He was a high-impact player in the slot over the past two years and is now an interception machine on the outside." 

On Tuesday, the Jim Thorpe Award — given to the best DB in college football — named Barron a semifinalist for a second consecutive season.  

Barron is certainly an ascending prospect and could land in the first round. In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Matt Miller has the Green Bay Packers taking him with pick No. 26.